Blowout with Lazer HP

[greengiant9963]

Leaves are really starting to fall here and one of my mowers is a lazer Z HP 52 with the trivantage deck. The mower also has a ultra vac. The blowout is just minor in the front but excessive on the discharge side. I have run other mowers with vac systems and never have had a problem like this. Things that I have tried to correct the problem. Bought blowout baffle, tried notched foil, solid foil , and gator blades. Screen on the back of the of the hopper on ultra vac is completely clean. Pivot arm is greased. RPM's are where they should be. I actually run it at half throttle when doing leaves just to cut down on the blowout but only helps a little. So where do I go from here? This mower has been this way the last 5 years I have had it. Just can't find a fix for the problem. Anything ideas would be appreciated. Thanks.

[sildoc]

I have to say I have yet to find a way to prevent the blowout on the discharge side myself. This is why I do circles first, at say 1-3 notches above normal cut to get all the leaves up, and then recut to look nice at normal cutting height. I use an accelerator with the leaf extender. Low lifts work best with a gator above.

[eXmark]

Green,

Look at your deck setting. With a 52" deck you should have about 3/16" of rake. From your symptoms...especially since you've added the blowout baffle, I really think this is going to play at least a part in your issue.

You state it's escaping out of the discharge side, is it going under/around the blower itself, or escaping from the front right corner?

If it's escaping under/around the blower, then I'd have to believe we're either losing impeller speed or don't have a clear path.

You stated the screen is clear which is good. You don't use any type of insersts in the bags do you?...because the bags also have to breathe as well. Beyond that, I've had several guys that would have issues with the opening actually plugging and experiencing similar symptoms. You may want to try and remove the discharge ('dog-leg') baffle at the back of the dishcharge opening on the deck. Debris can start to build up at this baffle and begin closing off the opening.

Impeller speed is most likely affected by belt slippage. Look closely at the idler...I know you said you've greased it, but it should be greased under no load as often as possible. This idler catches A LOT of dust, so I recommend a little higher level of maintenance here than most idlers. It's also possible that you received the wrong pulley with you UV. Give me the measurement of the top pulley and we'll ensure that's correct.

I hope this will help.

Thanks,
Lenny

[John Gamba]

[QUOTE=greengiant9963;1996808]Leaves are really starting to fall here and one of my mowers is a lazer Z HP 52 with the trivantage deck.QUOTE]


Green. Whats the deck set at??

[greengiant9963]

Green,

Look at your deck setting. With a 52" deck you should have about 3/16" of rake. From your symptoms...especially since you've added the blowout baffle, I really think this is going to play at least a part in your issue.

You state it's escaping out of the discharge side, is it going under/around the blower itself, or escaping from the front right corner?

If it's escaping under/around the blower, then I'd have to believe we're either losing impeller speed or don't have a clear path.

You stated the screen is clear which is good. You don't use any type of insersts in the bags do you?...because the bags also have to breathe as well. Beyond that, I've had several guys that would have issues with the opening actually plugging and experiencing similar symptoms. You may want to try and remove the discharge ('dog-leg') baffle at the back of the dishcharge opening on the deck. Debris can start to build up at this baffle and begin closing off the opening.

Impeller speed is most likely affected by belt slippage. Look closely at the idler...I know you said you've greased it, but it should be greased under no load as often as possible. This idler catches A LOT of dust, so I recommend a little higher level of maintenance here than most idlers. It's also possible that you received the wrong pulley with you UV. Give me the measurement of the top pulley and we'll ensure that's correct.

I hope this will help.

Thanks,
Lenny

Well I no there is no build up on back baffle. Check it regularly. I am thinking now it might have to do with a pulley like you stated. I have had the Ultra Vac for 4 years now and i have went threw at least 20 to 25 belts. When I told the dealer a couple years ago about the belts they just scratched there head. I will get a measurement of the top pulley in the next 2 days. Thanks for the help Lenny.

[greengiant9963]

[QUOTE=greengiant9963;1996808]Leaves are really starting to fall here and one of my mowers is a lazer Z HP 52 with the trivantage deck.QUOTE]


Green. Whats the deck set at??

John,

Usually have the deck set around 3 inches. Lowering the deck does help a little but not much. Was going to ask you to John how do you like megmo blades for leaves compared to doubles? Thinking of ordering a set of megmo's for my 60 in Lazer with the Ultra Cut deck. I think you stated before in a post you have tried both. Thanks.

Jason

[John Gamba]

[QUOTE=John Gamba;1998480]

John,

Usually have the deck set around 3 inches. Lowering the deck does help a little but not much. Was going to ask you to John how do you like megmo blades for leaves compared to doubles? Thinking of ordering a set of megmo's for my 60 in Lazer with the Ultra Cut deck. I think you stated before in a post you have tried both. Thanks.

Jason


There real sweet on the Ultracut. You can suck up wet stuff like no tomorrow. they have next to no blowout because there sails are up farther in the deck then the doubles.Tell roy i said hello.

[greengiant9963]

Lenny,

The top pulley measures 3 1/2 inches. Do you think trying a smaller pulley would help? Thanks.


Jason

[greengiant9963]

bump...................

[3Bladz]

Try a low lift or wavy mulch blade.

[eXmark]

Green,

Might want to re-measure that top pulley. The smallest 'top' pulley we've produced is just shy of 4" (3.96). The top pulley of the double stack pulley to drive the blower should measure about 4-1/4".

You mentioned that you've went through several belts, these issues may be slightly related. Look at where the belt is running on the tension idler. My guess is that the belt is running high on the pulley. Due to wear and tear over time, the blower will 'sag' down and cause this misalignment. Easy fix, simply take the idler arm and 'tweak' it up so that the belt is running in the middle of the pulley.

Let me know.

Thanks,
Lenny

[greengiant9963]

Green,

Might want to re-measure that top pulley. The smallest 'top' pulley we've produced is just shy of 4" (3.96). The top pulley of the double stack pulley to drive the blower should measure about 4-1/4".

You mentioned that you've went through several belts, these issues may be slightly related. Look at where the belt is running on the tension idler. My guess is that the belt is running high on the pulley. Due to wear and tear over time, the blower will 'sag' down and cause this misalignment. Easy fix, simply take the idler arm and 'tweak' it up so that the belt is running in the middle of the pulley.

Let me know.

Thanks,
Lenny

Lenny,

I measured the wrong pulley before. The top pully on the double stack which the Ultra Vac belt runs off of measured 4 1/8. As far as the belts wearing and breaking. This has been going on ever since I first bought the ultra vac for the mower over 3 or 4 years ago. I told my dealer about it and they really didn't have a answer for the belts wearing. I will try and tweak it a bit this weekend and see what happens. Thanks.


Jason

[Sweet Tater]

I hate to high jack a thread, but it pertains to the same subject.
I have a huge amount of blowout. But the good news is I found out why. The front factory baffle under the deck is missing. I bought it used and didn't know there was suppose to be one. My question is, can I get one, my local dealer says no, I would have to have one fabricated. I tried to make a new post but with the rep out its not showing up and I need an answer soon If Exmark can still get one from the factory or I need to get one made. I need it for fall clean ups. I don't know why they removed it. but that is one reason I am not getting blade performance that everyone says I should. Can someone help till the rep returns?
p.s. its a 98 Lazer Z lhp

[eXmark]

greengiant9963,

I've forwarded your post on to Lenny. He should be responding to you soon.

Sweet Tater,

I've approved your post and replied to your question.


Regards,
KC